Wonderful Don... your candor about mania is a story that needs to be heard. It reminds me of a perspective I heard the other day on those who have experienced trauma... As much as the effects can be terrible if not managed, it often leaves those who have experienced trauma in a position of strength to greater empathise deeply, with others. Robin Williams is a big loss to the world....

Although diagnosed 'bipolar' I for some strange reason don't suffer 'depression' unless feeling regret at saying some of the things I say can be classed as 'depression'?. I put the question to professionals but get no satisfactory answers. My demon is mania. Medications help control it (sort of). Would I want it eliminated? Never! It gives me the drive to create. 'Controlled mania' is one of my best friends. Don't wanna be a zombie 😎

It is beyond most of us - those who know of no more than the buzz of
happiness and the blues-y feeling of a passing "low" in our moods -
to imagine how to accommodate the extremes that are described
by - and in - those affected by the bi-polar syndrome. It appears to
offer great satisfaction in its "ups" but nature exacts the price in
its "downs". If Churchill was a sufferer it had no effect on his ability
to live long and take his rewards in other ways, personal and professional. It is to be hoped that others who see themselves as
affected by it should take comfort and help to allow them to get by
with as little of the "down" effect as possible while giving the world the benefit of the "up" whenever possible. Or, as the saying goes:
hang in there!

Having read your latest poems and the conversations that they triggered about mental health issues and after reading your bio, I have one thing to say to you. Congratulations! I admire you for writing all that is in you with pride and passion and freedom. Not everybody has the guts to be all of themselves and speak up and be proud of their struggles while trying to raise awareness with the tact and grace that you do it. People have to know that it is possible for a bipolar person to live a normal life, with medical treatment, therapy and hard work; they can even be happy! While suffering!
Thank you for reminding us that🎈
Mae

P.S. I can hear the sound in the video he's definitely a bit manic in this one.

Don
I have just read Kieth's comment and I agree with him,
but would like to add another thought,
by talking/writting about bi polar you are giving comfort to others with the same/similar conditions who may be suffering inside but feel that they must hide it.
Dorothy

Thank you for this, especially the video clip. Have you seen the film Club Paradise starring Robin Williams and Peter O Toole? A masterpiece. There seems to me evidence which supports the idea that those who are bi polar and others with different conditions tend to have higher intellects than are usually found. Some of the most eloquent, funny and engaging of people seem to come in disproportionate numbers from such categories. Robin Williams, Winston Churchill and Stephen Fry immediately come to mind.

Please consider writing more openly as you are gifted in this respect and others whose understanding of such conditions need to be made more aware of what life is like for those who struggle with issues such as bi polar and other similar conditions which can be socially isolating.